September 2, 2022 – John 3:16, The Funny Shape of Faith

“God so loved the world …” John 3:16

“We blame God for everything from tornadoes to tragic deaths. Many people view God as the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk: “Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman! Be he alive, or be he dead, I’ll have his bones to grind my bread.” That would make some gruesome toast. Christ’s death is shocking, but it’s exactly the opposite of an angry God who kills everyone who gets in the way. It’s more like an old war movie where one soldier throws himself onto a grenade, allowing the rest of the platoon to live. It’s because of love and care for you that Christ gave his life. Better yet, he didn’t stay dead. Christ rose again. You will too.” (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Locations 248-249). Kindle Edition.)

To Smite or Not to Smite?

In the movie Bruce Almighty, Jim Carey has a famous moment where he is frustrated with G-d. In a moment of sheer anger he shouts out “Smite me O mighty smiter.” It is the age-old shout that many have uttered or prayed or shouted toward G-d. In these words are the expectation that G-d is just waiting to smite each one of us just at the most appropriate or inappropriate moments in our lives whether we deserve it or not.

I realize that when we are at our weakest or most frustrated we like to think that G-d has it out for us. Intuitively we know this is not true, yet we all want someone or something on which to place blame for our troubles. If this were true then why would G-d have sent G-d’s son to the cross to die? G-d could have spared the Son and pulled out his “smiting stick” to get busy with humanity.

Instead of shouting to G-d “Why me G-d?” perhaps we can take a lesson from Job. When his wife tells him to “curse G-d and die…” Job retorts: “Shall we receive good from God and not receive evil? The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”” (Job 1:21 and Job 2:10)

Let us pray,

Lord of forgiveness, we are sorry for blaming you for things that aren’t your fault. Help me see the ways that you care for me. Amen.

Pastor Dave